Environment
As stated previously the direct impact of our operations on the environment is low compared to many other industries, and so the most significant contribution we can make is through quality of sustainability related advice to clients. However, we recognise the value in reducing the impact of our activities on the environment to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. Through better understanding and minimising our own environmental impacts we are also able to make operational efficiencies and savings and also strengthen our position of employer of choice in our markets.
Our Group Environmental Policy outlines these aims,which operationally translate to our ongoing programme of office based environmental initiatives which include reduced print and paper wastage, sourcing of recycled or sustainable paper products, power-down idle desktop equipment, and recycling redundant IT equipment and sundries wherever possible. We are also using new technology to deliver research information, marketing materials, web-based collaborative forums and marketing brochures to reduce paper, transport costs and waste.
In addition, during the year, our cross-company ‘Green Group’ commenced a programme to consolidate our electricity purchase in the UK with a single supplier. A key criterion we adopted for selecting an energy provider was the use of renewable energy resources to reduce our environmental impact further. Since July 2008, nearly half (46) of our UK locations are now under contract to one energy supplier.
We aim to have over 60 offices under the single contract by the end of 2009.
As part of the drive to control the impact of our activities on the environment, we have continued to encourage our offices to adopt BS EN ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management). This is designed to achieve sound environmental performance by using a proactive range of practical office management measures. It also helps demonstrate our commitment to environmental improvement when pitching for new work. At the end of 2008, 43 of our UK offices held ISO 14001 accreditation (2007: 8 UK offices).